Take science outside with these easy outdoor science experiments for kids! Whether you’re exploring weather, nature, chemistry, physics, or engineering, outdoor science activities make learning active, memorable, and fun.
From launching rockets and creating giant bubbles to tracking weather and observing insects, outdoor science encourages kids to ask questions, make observations, and investigate the world around them. Many of these outdoor science experiments use simple supplies and are perfect for summer learning, homeschool science, classrooms, STEM clubs, and backyard science fun.
If you’re looking for hands-on science activities that get kids moving, exploring, and thinking like scientists, you’ll find plenty of ideas below.
Outdoor Science Concepts
Science Topics: Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Life Science, Weather Science, Engineering
- Best For: Ages 5–12
- Skills Practiced: Scientific inquiry, observation, prediction, measuring, recording data, problem-solving, critical thinking
Top Outdoor Science Activities
Alka Seltzer Rocket
Launch a rocket powered by a chemical reaction.
Baking Soda Volcano
Create a fizzing chemical reaction while learning about acids and bases.
Mentos and Coke
Watch a dramatic soda geyser and investigate gas release and pressure.
Bubble Science
Explore surface tension with giant bubbles, bubble snakes, and bubble challenges.
Weather Station
Track temperature, rainfall, clouds, and wind while collecting real weather data.
What Melts in the Sun?
Compare materials and investigate heat absorption on a sunny day.
Leakproof Bag Experiment
Push pencils through a bag of water and discover why it doesn’t leak.
Carbon Sugar Snake
Observe an impressive chemical reaction as heat transforms baking soda and sugar into a growing carbon snake.
Why Take Science Outdoors?
Outdoor science gives kids opportunities to explore real-world science in action. Natural environments provide endless opportunities to investigate weather, sunlight, plants, animals, forces, motion, and chemical reactions.
Many science activities are easier to do outside because they allow for bigger experiments, more movement, and easier cleanup. Plus, outdoor learning encourages curiosity, observation, and hands-on discovery.
Quick Outdoor Science Activities
Need something simple? Try one of these easy outdoor science activities.
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
- Trace shadows throughout the day.
- Observe insects and keep a bug journal.
- Track daily weather conditions.
- Test objects that sink or float.
- Grow seeds in different locations.
- Build a bird feeder and observe visitors.
- Collect and classify rocks, leaves, or shells.
These activities encourage observation skills and help kids practice thinking like scientists. Find ways to support these activities below.
Free Printable Outdoor Science Guide
This free printable Outdoor Science Week Guide includes activity ideas, science journal pages, and helpful resources to make outdoor learning easy. Hang it on the fridge, bulletin board, or classroom wall as a reminder to get outside and explore.
Outdoor Chemistry Experiments
Outdoor chemistry experiments are perfect for taking science outside. Kids can safely explore chemical reactions, gases, acids and bases, polymers, and more while enjoying easy cleanup and plenty of space for messy science fun.
- Launch an Alka-Seltzer rocket.
- Launch a baking soda bottle rocket
- Make a baking soda and vinegar volcano.
- Create a carbon sugar snake.
- Explore color-changing slime in the sunlight.
- Try the classic Mentos and Coke reaction.
- Test a popping bags reaction.
- Investigate the leakproof bag experiment.
- Play with bubble science.
👉 Explore all of our Chemistry Experiments for Kids here
Outdoor Physics Experiments
Physics is all around us outdoors. Explore force, motion, gravity, pressure, simple machines, and engineering through hands-on experiments that encourage kids to test and improve their designs.
- Launch a bottle rocket (air pressure).
- Build a simple pulley.
- Set up a balloon rocket between two trees.
- Learn how a sundial works.
- Explore gravity activities.
- Test sink or float with nature items
👉 Need more? Explore all of our Physics Experiments for Kids here
Outdoor Weather And Sun Science
The outdoors is the perfect place to investigate weather, sunlight, temperature, and seasonal changes. These activities encourage observation and data collection while helping kids understand how weather affects the world around them.
- Use a cloud viewer to identify clouds.
- Build a simple weather station with a rain gauge, anemometer, etc.
- Make sun prints.
- Create rain paintings.
- Compare materials with a what melts in the sun experiment.
- Test what color absorbs heat best.
- Set up and observe a simple water evaporation experiment.
- Observe and record temperature with a summer temperature investigation
👉 Explore more weather activities here, like static lightning!
Outdoor Nature Science
Nature provides endless opportunities for scientific discovery. Observe living things, investigate habitats, and learn how plants and animals interact with their environment.
- Complete an animal shelter challenge.
- Observe seed sprouting and plant growth.
- Build a bug hotel.
- Learn about the life cycle of a bee and make a bee house.
- Explore bird science and set up a bird feeder or birdseed ornaments
- Start a nature collection.
- Learn about how plants breathe, observe how leaves drink water, and find out if plants sweat!
👉 Get outside with more nature science activities here
Outdoor Science FAQ
What are the best outdoor science experiments for kids?
Some of the most popular outdoor science experiments include bottle rockets, baking soda volcanoes, bubble science, Mentos and Coke reactions, weather investigations, and melting experiments. These activities combine hands-on learning with outdoor exploration.
Why are science experiments good for outdoor learning?
Outdoor science encourages kids to observe, investigate, and test ideas in real-world environments. Outdoor spaces also provide room for larger experiments, nature studies, engineering projects, and messy science activities that are easier to clean up.
What science topics can kids learn outdoors?
Kids can explore chemistry, physics, biology, Earth science, weather science, environmental science, and engineering through outdoor experiments and activities.
What age are outdoor science activities best for?
Outdoor science activities can be adapted for preschoolers through middle school students. Younger children focus on observation and exploration, while older students can collect data, test variables, and use the scientific method.
What supplies do I need for outdoor science experiments?
Many outdoor science experiments use simple household supplies such as baking soda, vinegar, plastic bottles, water, measuring tools, paper, and natural materials found outside. Most activities can be set up with inexpensive materials.
How can I turn an outdoor science activity into a science fair project?
Choose one variable to test, make a prediction, collect data, and compare results. Activities like bottle rockets, weather tracking, seed growth, melting experiments, and paper airplane testing work especially well as science fair projects.
What are easy outdoor science activities for summer?
Weather observations, bubble experiments, sink-or-float tests, bug investigations, seed growing projects, sun prints, and melting experiments are all simple outdoor science activities that work well during the summer months.
Make Summer STEM a Blast!
From slime and bubbles to nature walks and camp weeks—this Summer bundle is your one-stop summer STEM solution. Over 11 hands-on activity packs to make this your most fun and educational summer ever!
Make Science Easy This Week!
The September Science mini pack pulls all 20 investigations together in one place, with the activity instructions, science explanations, student recording pages, and planning support already organized for you.
👉 Explore the September Science Investigations»
wow! so clever though. a simple way for kids fun. I just love this idea. Such a creative thought. kids must love this idea. Thanks for such a good idea to share with us.
Amazing idea. Kids love to play in outdoor. I like this outdoor activities for kids. hot summer kids must like it. I feel relax and comfortable to play in outdoor.